Burger Boat to Deliver a 315m Explorer Yacht in 2017

Recommendation: Confirm the 2017 delivery window with Burger Boat's project managers now and lock a port slot early to prevent schedule drift. Align the builders' sequence with critical milestones and reserve space for final outfitting that minimizes disruption to the hull and deck systems, including the generator and hvac packages essential for ocean-going operations.

Involve designers and builders early to lock in a custom layout that suits the chosen type of hull and accommodates an expansive electronics suite. Plan the interior so that the control interfaces map cleanly into the vessel's automation network, with suction lines and ballast compensators sized for a 315m profile. Ensure the purchased systems integrate smoothly and clearly into the ship’s design team’s workflow around the world.

Prepare a phased refit plan that keeps post-delivery work tightly scoped, including interiors, exterior finishes, and deck equipment. Validate cruise performance with targeted sea trials, and map a maintenance schedule for electronics and hvac that minimizes downtime during port calls. Include a risk register and contingency buffers so that changing conditions or supply constraints don't derail milestones.

Track the purchased components and ensure they fit the custom layout while aligning with the vessel’s navigation and propulsion controls. A close collaboration between designers and the project team, with the port authorities, keeps ballast, trim, and systems within the target envelope. When the project moves into production, monitor generator and suction line integration to sustain reliable cruise performance across the world.

Burger Boat 315m Explorer Yacht Delivery Plan (2017)

Configure the bow-positioned deck layout with a dedicated lazarette and deckpilothouse to accelerate systems checks during sea trials and shorten the route from outfitting to water.

These delivery phases collect feedback from designers and engineers, then translate it into an expansive exterior and interior program that supports long-range exploration and rapid maintenance.

Configured electrical panels plus a robust lighting scheme drive reliability aboard the 315m explorer, while a panel of backup systems minimizes downtime during the stabilization tests.

Chests line crew quarters, with stairs to the deck, a bell signaling watches, and bow-positioned gear lockers storing essential kit; these storage elements integrate with the lazarette and deckpilothouse to maintain clean deck levels.

Includes princess-inspired interiors and expansive outdoor spaces, with some additional stowage and a dedicated showroom zone to support sales conversations.

Designers configured the hull and superstructure to balance marine efficiency with luxury, ensuring stabilization performance remains steady in rough seas.

Stairs connect the lower deck to the main deck, and the bell marks watch changes while the bow presents a continuous line for ease of navigation.

Includes a phased build schedule with milestones, testing, and delivery readiness; panel and lighting systems coordinators align with Burger Boat's yard teams for a clean handover.

315m Explorer Yacht specifications and performance targets

Target a top speed near 18 knots and a range of 25,000–30,000 nautical miles at 12 knots, with 60–75 days of autonomy. The vessel measures 315 m LOA, about 50 m beam, 11 m draft, and displaces roughly 180,000–210,000 metric tons.

Structure and propulsion rely on a carbon-fiber hull and superstructure to reduce mass without compromising strength. The powertrain blends ultra-efficient diesel-electric cores with a compact gas turbine for peak power. Two large azimuth thrusters deliver precise maneuvering, supported by a bow thruster and redundant gensets. Deck operations rely on hydraulic crane arms to handle tenders, submersibles and masts.

The biscuit-colored exterior reduces glare and presents a warm silhouette at sea. The ventilation network uses vent ducts and filter banks to maintain cabin climate, with segregated engine-room ventilation to keep guest areas quiet and comfortable.

Power management centers on a substantial energy package that supports silent mode for long passages. It includes battery storage, intelligent energy control, and manual overrides where needed. A sett-regulating ballast system maintains trim stability during shifts in load and sea state, providing smooth handling when seas rise.

Autopilot and DP-driven control enable hands-off cruising, while the plan follows a strategic layout designed by designer ross to support rapid decision-making. The control suite fuses navigation, communications and safety modules in a single interface, ensuring cohesive operation across bridge, engine room and guest areas.

Designer ross leads a strategic collection that includes safety, propulsion, and guest-comfort modules. Includes princess grates in critical ventilation zones and near galley exhausts to sustain robustness under heavy use, while the overall design prioritizes modularity for future upgrades.

On-deck provisions emphasize accessibility and safety. Ladders connect multiple levels with clearly marked routes, and hand rails run the length of promenades and stairways. Sound-dampening treatments and vibration-control elements reduce onboard noise, enhancing comfort during long passages. The biscuit-colored finish remains consistent across exposed surfaces, while carbon components provide durability without excessive weight.

All systems rely on existing supply chains and tested components to shorten the path to delivery, with manual overrides available at key control points. The result is a cohesive package that combines performance targets with practical operability, ready to integrate into a strategic collection of vessels.

Timeline milestones: contract to delivery

Lock a phased milestone plan with fixed owners and gates at contract sign to ensure on-time delivery. This approach keeps hull integration, surface preparation, and interior fit-out aligned with the schedule and avoids delays caused by late decisions. Each gate defines acceptance criteria, handover documents, and a transfer of responsibility from design to build to operations.

Contract to design freeze: Currently, the contract seals the baseline geometry, propulsion element placement, and hull lines. The design freeze occurs within six weeks and references the final logo, exterior color, and interior layout. The team collects all client approvals and creates a digital model to keep surface adjustments minimal.

Fabrication and hull assembly: Work shifts run hydraulically powered cranes and handlers to position large sections. The hull modules are installed, chests and removable panels provide quick access to machinery bays. Protective clothes are worn during coating operations, and a pull-down surface ladder ensures safe access for the crew.

Systems and power integration: A 40kw genset powers essential systems during fit-out. Digital instrumentation collects data on temperatures, pressures, and vibration. The element wiring harnesses undergo routing checks and a formal transfer of documentation accompanies each subsystem.

Tenders, logo, and side-boarding: Tenders are completed with branded logo marks and tested for stability. A side-boarding platform and crew access stairs are installed; safety drills cover man-overboard scenarios (overboard) and equipment stowage in chests is verified.

Surface prep and tests: Surface treatment begins with sanding, primer, and marine paint. A smoke test on exhaust routes confirms clearance; protective clothes are used during painting; time is allocated for final checks of hull coatings and removable panels before launch.

Navigation of trials and market readiness: Sea trials evaluate dynamics, stability, and performance under load as the hull moves through water. The transfer of data to the client logs tests in the market forecast and the team collects performance curves for reporting. Current procedures ensure the surface remains uniform and the hull shows no delamination.

Delivery and handover: When acceptance criteria are met, the yacht transfers ownership, documentation bundles are delivered, and a last phase of side-boarding checks ensures crew readiness. The final surface polish and chests full of spare parts are handed to the client alongside a detailed maintenance element list and a review of the time schedule to confirm delivery.

Modular construction approach and yard coordination

Adopt a staged module build schedule that aligns with yard utilities to cut delivery risk. Build hull blocks and deck shells in parallel bays using standardized interfaces so connections, platforms, and seating align without rework. Use aluminum skins where possible to speed fabrication while keeping ballast and structure strong; pre-fit filtration lines, compensators, and hydraulically actuated systems in the core modules. Preassemble interior seating and chairs in blocks to simplify fit-out and accelerate delivery milestones. Specify fuel and potable-water tanks in gallons and ensure their manifolds connect cleanly to main lines. Ensure input from design, supply, and operations on every shift, since early cross-discipline checks catch conflicts before installation. henry reinforces the point that a clear handoff between modules is the fastest path to a stable schedule. Your yard layout should reflect a united workflow: northland-based blocks move from staging to assembly, then to integration, with dedicated lines for electronics, navi systems, and strobe lighting, so installation crews can work without backtracking.

Regulatory path: class, flag state, and certifications

Choose a leading class society and a reputable flag state at the outset to align design, construction, and certification timelines. This opportunity sets a clear program for compliance across all phases. For a 315m explorer yacht, pair a world‑class class society (such as DNV GL, LR, ABS, BV, or RINA) with a flag registry that offers predictable, shipowner‑friendly processes for ultra‑large yachts, like Malta, Marshall Islands, Cayman Islands, or Bermuda. This combination provides a solid governance framework and a straightforward status for international calls and turismo operations that span multiple ports.

Class path and notations: The chosen society issues hull, machinery, electrical, and safety notations, and will require extensive calculations, finite element analyses, and a rigorous approval program. Expect hull strength and intact stability reviews, fire integrity and life‑saving equipment verification, and MARPOL compliance checks. If you plan dynamic positioning, request DP2 or DP4 as appropriate; if operations include remote voyages, consider an Ice Class notation. Engage early with the society’s engineers so design verification, model tests, and sea trials align with the yard’s compressed schedule. A well‑documented history of design decisions and engineering reports helps avoid rework and accelerates acceptance of the final class certificate.

Flag state and registry considerations: The flag authority determines crew regulations, living standards, and reporting cadence. Ensure MLC compliance for crew accommodations, adequate rest hours, and a robust Safety Management System (SMS) audited under ISM. The International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS) and SOLAS compliance remain in scope, along with MARPOL waste and ballast water management. The registry will review the ship’s pollution prevention plan and the accompanying waste program, with inspections during port calls throughout the world. For the interior, plan crew houses that meet standards while delivering a comfortable environment with white and biscuit-colored finishes and wooden decks; the logo placement on the superstructure should be approved and illuminated for visibility at night. A clear status update from the flag office confirms readiness for international operation and port entries.

Certification program and milestones: The program runs in parallel with construction, delivering milestones from design approval to delivery and ongoing operation. Key items include ISM‑based SMS validation, Security Certificate (ISSC), Load Line, SOLAS revalidation, and MARPOL compliance for waste and ballast water. Prepare for IOPP and ballast water management certifications, plus any LNG or alternative fuel system approvals if applicable. Verify that alarms, monitoring systems, and emergency power sources are tested and documented; ensure adjustable systems (such as stabilizers) are commissioned and their interfaces are described in the Operations Manual. The illuminated deck and navigation lighting meet regulatory visibility requirements, and compressed air systems receive routine testing. Throughout the program, maintain a consistent logo identity and a biscuit‑colored, white, and wooden interior palette that does not conflict with safety markings. The result is a robust program that supports voyage safety, environmental stewardship, and owner views on long‑range operations.

Practical next steps and recommendations: Align your design and build plan with the chosen class and flag early to lock in notations and certificates before keel‑ laying. Develop a comprehensive regulatory program that covers ISM, ISPS, MARPOL, and ballast management, plus a bespoke waste management plan tailored to long voyage schedules and sensitive harbor calls. Build the program around a transparent history of compliance, with documented decisions and a clear opportunity to demonstrate safety readiness at each milestone. Provide a formal offer to the yard and registry teams with defined responsibilities, timelines, and sign‑offs. Maintain the ship’s white and biscuit‑colored interiors and wooden finishes in line with fire safety standards, ensuring the logo placement is approved and well illuminated for clear branding. By keeping alarms and monitoring systems connected to a centralized control room, you preserve safety throughout the voyage and beyond, while reducing potential delays caused by rework or non‑compliance. The result is a well‑structured path to delivery and ongoing compliance for a vessel designed to operate across the world, with a strong program to manage waste, fish‑habitat considerations, and environmental impact during every voyage and in every port.

Sea trials, handover procedures, and client briefing

Schedule a staged sea trials program with a predefined data pack and a single handover window; ensure the hydraulic loop, sett-regulating valve, pump-out, manifold, eductor, circuit, and generator operate within spec before any client walk-through. The experienced team, founded in Tacoma, maintains navi and searchlight readiness, and provides a detailed report with the generated trends, like the prior Burger Boat projects. The plan is provided to the client as soon as data is captured, and the companys governance ensures alignment with the design brief.

• Pre-trial readiness: verify hydraulic pumps, compressor, generator, and manifold connections; confirm eductor and pump-out lines are secured; inspect fins and stabilizers; run a controlled test of the circuit in dry-dock before entering open water.
• Sea trial focus: propulsion response, steering accuracy, trim, hull vibration, and energy draw; capture generator load curves, hydraulic pressures, and compressor temperatures; confirm searchlight and navi systems function under night conditions.
• Handover protocol: conduct a walk-through with the client, present safety dossiers, spare parts list, maintenance schedule, and an on-board checklist; label sett-regulating components and emergency stops for quick reference.
• Client briefing: outline operating envelope, commissioning steps, and crew responsibilities; provide escalation paths and contact details for the Tacoma port liaison and the trials team.
• Documentation: deliver a complete log, including pump-out timings, eductor performance, circuit diagrams, and safety notes; ensure the final report and data pack accompany the handover package.